I just received an E-mail from the Collings Foundation. They are trying to acquire an F-105 to restore to flight status. It does require congressional approval. It probably will be approved. They had to go through the same process to get their F-4D and TA-4. I'm looking forward to seeing that big beast. The J-75 engine has both water injection and an afterburner.

The monthly newsletter of the Collings Foundation talks about the National Museum of the Air Force trying to blockthe acquisition of the F-105. After the CAF F-82 debacle, this is a shame and should be a scandal. They are not the only show in town. Contact the museum at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and tell them this is wrong. Preservation should be fostered by whoever,especially in flying condition.

The House armed services sub-committee is not too anxious to grant a"Deed of gift" for the F-105. This is how the Collings Foundation acquired the F-4D and TA-4J. The sub-committe has directed the DOD to a study about transferring millitary artifacts. It is due April 2011. The Collings Foundation is still working on the Senate supported by Medal of Honor recepients and former POW's. I don't understand this. They would apparently prefer them to be blown to ...pieces instead of being restored to a living piece of history. If applicable, please contact your congressman and tell them that you support the "deed of Gift" of the F-105.

I would hope this action to obtain the F-105 is successful in the end. It has some of the trapping's one group faced when they tried in vain to get a restored a B-36 to flight status, they had a qualified flight crew along with ground crew support personnel who were willing to support the aircraft since they had free time since most were retired. Moreover they had all 6 (R-4360)[post][/post] engines turning and burning!

Why does the museum care if the Collings Foundation has an airworthy F-105. As long as it is not the museum's F-105, what's the deal? The USAF should donate the aircraft as it is the property of the U.S. taxpayer.

Doesn't make much sense, does it? After the CAF F-82 debacle, I think the AF Museum is an obnoxious, self centered bureaucracy. The USAF would gain a lot by having it participate in Heritage Flights. Can you picture the demo if it teamed with Randy Ball in his Mig 17? I hope it happens.

I have to play devil's advocate for some of the AF Museum folks. I needed a bit of information regarding the cockpit for the Mig-25. I e-mailed the curator and asked if they could send me a set of pictures of the cockpit and he did.

I think we are forgetting one thing here. The USAF when they donate a aircraft to a Museum it is for Static display only the museum must maintain the aircraft according to the USAF standards, moreover the USAF does not hand over the title to said aircraft for restoration to flight status. I would guess the CAF Aircraft if one to research the aircraft title you will find it is still in the USAF as main holder.

If it were me I would use this time to research that area and find out what the requirements are. You can do just that under the freedom of information act.